Court Sentences Ebonyi LG Chairman’s Cousin, 3 Others To Death By Hanging For Murder

An Ebonyi State High Court in the Ohaukwu Judicial Division has sentenced four men to death by hanging for the brutal killing of 26-year-old businessman, Chinonso Elom, popularly known as Oscar.

Among those convicted is Anthony Elom, a cousin to the chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area.

Chinonso was murdered on February 6, 2023, in front of his shop near the busy Okwo Ngbo Main Market.

Reports say the attackers, believed to be cult members and political thugs, arrived in a Sienna bus and confronted him, asking about his younger brother, whom they had issues with in the past.

When Chinonso said he didn’t know where his brother was, they tried to force him into their vehicle. He resisted, and Anthony Elom allegedly shot him in the head with a locally made shotgun, killing him on the spot.

The killing sparked outrage across the Ngbo community, with angry youths protesting and demanding justice.

Police launched an investigation, which led to the arrest of four suspects, including Anthony Elom (also known as Tidy), Chibueze Onwe, Chief Chukwuemeka Ugah, and Uchenna Odono, while the fifth suspect, ThankGod Onwe, is still on the run.

The suspects were tried for conspiracy and murder.

During the court session on May 14, 2025, Justice Esther Otah ruled that the prosecution had presented overwhelming evidence, including forensic analysis that linked the murder weapon to the crime.

She rejected the defense’s arguments, saying the four acted together and were equally guilty.

Justice Otah sentenced all four to death by hanging, describing the crime as a deliberate and cold-blooded act.

After the ruling, the lead defense lawyer, Barrister Chinedu Uwa, said they would appeal the judgment.

On the other hand, the prosecuting team, led by Barrister Oluchi Ibiam and joined by Barristers Chinedu Ugadu and Chinedu Ituma, welcomed the verdict, calling it a major win against political violence and cult-related killings.

See some photos below:

KanyiDaily recalls that Lagos High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square recently sentenced Andrew Ominikoron, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, to death by hanging for the murder of 22-year-old fashion designer, Bamise Ayanwola.